Bible Rebel continues to keep a watchdog’s eye on international and domestic news and events. Here’s some of the latest.
President Donald Trump Signs Executive Order Combating Antisemitism This order directs federal resources to address the rise in antisemitism, particularly following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. The order calls for federal agencies to report actions that can be used to fight antisemitism within 60 days and emphasizes the need to quell pro-Hamas vandalism and intimidation. – The Hill
Netanyahu Heads to U.S. for Ceasefire Talks with Trump Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is heading to the United States to meet with President Donald Trump to discuss the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal. The ceasefire has allowed for a surge in international humanitarian aid to Gaza. – Al Jazeera
American-Israeli Keith Siegel, 2 Other Hostages Released in Gaza American-Israeli dual national Keith Siegel was among three hostages released by militants in Gaza as part of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement. The hostages were handed over to Red Cross personnel before being transferred to Israeli forces. – CBS News
Father of Released Israeli Hostage Thanks Trump The father of newly released Israeli hostage Agam Berger thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for his efforts in securing his daughter’s freedom. The release was part of the ongoing ceasefire and hostage-exchange deal between Hamas and Israel. AP News
Bible Rebel is keeping a watchdog’s eye on recent world events and religious/faith news and bringing it to you. Stay informed by checking in every day.
The Greek Orthodox Christian Network launches an online magazine. Interesting articles include a piece on ending homelessness.
The Parthenon in Athens, originally built to honor Athena, was converted into a Christian church from 500 AD to 1450. It became a pilgrimage center for Christians and was decorated with icons, mosaics, and frescoes.
Thousands gathered in Tirana, Albania, to pay their last respects to Archbishop Anastasios, who revived the country’s Orthodox Christian Church after the fall of communism in 1990. Anastasios, who was the Archbishop of Tirana, Durres, and All Albania, passed away at the age of 95.
Editors note: the guest article appearing here does not necessarily reflect the views of Bible Rebel editors or other guest authors and contributors. Bible Rebel seeks to present a wide range of ideas and viewpoints in order to fulfill our mission to provide resources for “Curious Fearless Faith”.
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Have you ever heard a pastor expound that today’s Jews and the modern State of Israel are God’s chosen people, rightfully entitled to the “Promised Lands?” From the early 1900s onward, this belief system — known as Christian Zionism — has taken root in many churches, convincing countless believers that the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 marked the fulfillment of biblical prophecy.
According to this narrative, the Jewish citizens of present-day Israel are the direct heirs of the lands gifted to Abraham’s descendants — now their eternal homeland.
It’s a story many of us have grown up with, encouraging Christians to accept, without question, that modern Jews hold a God-ordained claim to the territories sworn to Abraham, some 4,000 years ago.
But consider the consequences: as Christian Zionism’s influence spreads throughout the U.S. and Europe, a startling number of American Christians find themselves compelled — financially, politically, and even militarily — to aid Israel’s rapidly expanding conflicts in the Middle East. Men and women who might otherwise stand firmly against war find themselves supporting armed aggression, simply because they believe it serves God’s plan.
What could drive Jesus’s peace-minded followers to champion violence in the Middle East?
The shocking answer is this: this zeal springs from a misguided interpretation of prophecy — one that twists God’s words about future end-times events into a license for unyielding military dominance today.
Christian Zionist scholars and proponents suggest that dozens, even hundreds of Old Testament prophecies point specifically to the re-establishment of Israel as a nation today — and ready for battle.
Of these, here is a sampling of popular scriptures commonly quoted to garner support:
Isaiah 66:8-9: “Who has ever heard of such things? ... Can a country be born in a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment?”
Ezekiel 37:21-22: “Behold, I will take the people of Israel from the nations ... and bring them to their own land. And I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel.”
Isaiah 11:11-12: “The Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people ... and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel.”
Zechariah 14:2-3: “I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle ... Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations.”
Zephaniah 3:19-20: “At that time I will deal with all who oppressed you ... I will bring you home and give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth.”
Let’s dive deeper into these five commonly cited verses and test them against the Bible’s overarching narrative. Are these prophecies truly about 1948, or do they point to something far greater yet to come?
In my following articles, we’ll unravel the strange connection between these scriptures, the wars of Zionism, and “The Day of the Lord” — a central theme throughout the Old Testament. You won’t want to miss this revealing exploration of what the Bible really says about Israel’s prophetic future!
The article goes on to say, “A religious schism has turned deadly in Nigeria, with a church member fatally shot and two young children killed as homes were set ablaze, according to United Methodist News Service. The news service said the reported violence on Sunday stemmed from a schism in the worldwide United Methodist Church over its decision to repeal LGBTQ bans — and the ensuing formation of the new Global Methodist Church by breakaway conservative churches.”
Catholic Movement Dissolved Over Abuses
Also from the AP, Dissolution of Sodalitium Christianae Vitae: Pope Francis has dissolved the Peru-based conservative Catholic movement, Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, following a comprehensive investigation that uncovered extensive sexual, financial, and spiritual abuses by its founder and leaders. This action reflects the Vatican’s ongoing efforts to address and rectify abuses within Church-affiliated organizations.
Across The Pond: Archbishop of Canterbury Resigns in Wake of Abuse Scandal
From The Times – It is right that Justin Welby resigned after the publication of the Makin review into the Church of England’s most prolific abuser, John Smyth. If the former Archbishop of Canterbury, and others, had acted with more resolution when they were made aware of the scale of Smyth’s offending then some boys he victimized might have been spared.
What’s Going On?
Do you notice a pattern in these three stories? I do – abuse and division. No wonder folks are fleeing religion in droves.
The words of Jesus come to mind. Abuse:“It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.” Luke 17:2 Division:“And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” Mark 3:25
And no wonder the chief enemies of Jesus were the religious leaders of the time. He exposed them.
What are we as followers of Jesus doing to expose the ‘whited sepulchers’ of our day and time?
On July 13, 2024, during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt when one of the the killer’s bullets barely missed blowing his head off. Tragically, one of the bullets killed rally attendee Corey Comperatore.
So, why was Corey Comperatore killed, but Trump ‘spared’? Did God intervene for Trump, but not for Corey?
It brings to mind a conversation I once had with a friend, who is now deceased, that went something went like this:
Me: Everyone has a purpose in life.
Friend: Well, what scares the shit out of me is that maybe I’ve already fulfilled my purpose and I didn’t know what it was.
Does God intervene randomly in order to ensure that some greater purpose comes to pass?
Consider this; in order for there to be a level playing field where human beings are able to exercise actual free will, the conditions that create the possibility for failure, tragedy, and death must exist. Free agency is meaningless if there are no negative consequences as a result of bad choices.
Let me repeat, “In order for there to be a level playing field where human beings are able to exercise actual free will, the conditions that create the possibility for failure, tragedy, and death must exist.”
Matthew 5:45 – “For He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.“
God allows bad things to happen to good people and good things to happen to bad people – but only for a season. God is entirely just, and He has committed Himself to abiding by the conditions which allow free agency to operate in our physical world and in our current time.
God doesn’t break His own rules, and He absolutely has a grand purpose in mind which he will bring to pass by His own power and in His own time.
Yes, God intervenes in human affairs. No, not randomly. In His grace and wisdom He has provided a way in which He can justly and perfectly intervene and intercede in the here and now – and that is prayer.
Not any old prayer, though. Prayer offered and spoken in faith and in line with Gods purpose and will.
So did prayer for Donald Trump save him from the assassin’s bullet so that as President he could help bring about something of God’s purpose and will for America and the world? Maybe. I believe only God knows the truth of it at this time.
But as the next months and years unfold we will have a better understanding because, “…by their fruits you will know them.” Retrospection can be very important and revealing when it comes to understanding the things of God.
For now, we should pray for our country and for our President. And for comfort for Corey Comperatore’s family.
Pete Hegseth has been the target of a lot of criticism and outright smears recently because he’s Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense.
One of the smears against Hegseth is that he has a tattoo that is a ‘white supremacist’ or ‘Nazi’ symbol. I call ‘bullshit’.
The Jerusalem Cross is a historic Christian symbol understood as representing the spread of Christianity to the four corners of the world or the Five Wounds of Christ.
The tattoo holds personal and spiritual significance for Hegseth, reflecting his Christian faith and connection to biblical history. It is also tied to his experiences, including his travels to Israel.
Here’s what Hegseth said about the tattoo as reported by the New York Post: “These symbols are deeply rooted in Christian history and represent my faith and commitment to our nation’s values. The attacks on my character based on these tattoos are unfounded and represent a broader assault on religious expression.”
Interestingly, the program for former President Jimmy Carter’s memorial service had the Jerusalem Cross printed on the front.
So, was Jimmy a Nazi white supremacist too? Or is this just another glaring example of the double standard applied by the media and the left wing in American politics?
Here’s Hegseth, again in his own words, in an interview with Nashville Christian Family in 2023: “To me, patriotism is not about love of government. It’s about love of our founding ideals that have pursued a more perfect union from the very beginning. It goes back to basics for me as a Christian: love of God and an understanding that my freedoms come from God—not from government—and that this nation was created as an experiment in self-governance and human freedom that every generation must perpetuate. Being patriotic doesn’t just mean waving the flag or cheering for Team USA. It requires teaching, instructing, and celebrating. In the most difficult times, the best thing we can do is go back to basics: faith, family, freedom—shining a light on those values—what this nation was founded on. If not America, then who? then where?”
“Godlessness ends great nations. The one thing we can all do is get on our knees and pray.”
In my opinion, Hegseth is exactly the kind of human being, grounded in faith, that we need more of in Babylon D.C. I hope he’s confirmed as Secretary of Defense, ASAP.
It’s been pretty widely reported for some time now that Christian church attendance in America is on the decline while more and more folks are identifying as non-denominational or non-religious.
Here are a few links with some interesting information and insight on this topic:
From Gallup, March 2024: The decline in formal church membership has largely been driven by younger generations of Americans. Slightly more than one-third of U.S. young adults have no religious affiliation. Further, many young adults who do identify with a religion do not belong to a church. But even older adults who have a religious preference are less likely to belong to a church today than in the past. https://news.gallup.com/poll/358364/religious-americans.aspx
There’s a lot of speculation and research as to why Americans are becoming more disillusioned with traditional Christianity, but I think the core reason is simple: too many of the answers provided by churchianity to normal people’s questions about God, the Bible, and our purpose are unsatisfactory.
No doubt there are going to be those who claim that the current devastating wildfires in Los Angeles are God’s wrath being poured out on a sinful and wicked city and state.
And sadly, this kind of ‘hellfire and brimstone’ nonsense will be preached by so-called ‘Christians’ as it has been countless times when death and tragedy strikes a particular community or geographical area. No wonder people are abandoning traditional and Evangelical Christian churches in droves.
Let’s look at the answer Jesus gave to his questioners in Luke 13:1-5 when they asked him about Pilate slaughtering a group of Galileans:
“There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.“
Our Lord could not be more clear. Disaster, suffering, and death, natural or man-caused, are not meted out according to the level of sinfulness present in an area. Bad things don’t happen to bad people exclusively, and tragedy is NOT a sign of God’s judgement in this present age.
However, there is a time coming when God’s judgement and restoration will fall on the entire creation. The Apocalypse is real, but it is reserved for a future time, and those who have already accepted and covered themselves in the sacrifice of the Lamb are spared from that great and terrible day.
There were two airplane disasters within days of each other during Christmas week.
A Jeju Air passenger jet crashed while landing at Muan International Airport in South Korea early Sunday morning – 179 fatalities out of 181 people on board. Two crew members survived.
Also there was a Christmas Day crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane, which resulted in 38 fatalities.
If there’s a God why does he allow this kind of death and suffering to happen? I heard a thought provoking reply to that question recently that went something like this – If there is no God then why are death and suffering considered bad?
I don’t necessarily think that’s a convincing or satisfying answer but it does deserve some thoughtful consideration, in my opinion. As an ongoing exercise on this blog we’ll be diving into the issue of why God allows evil , so stay tuned.
Former President Jimmy Carter passes away
Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, died at the age of 100 on Sunday. Carter was the longest-living former president in U.S. history.
Carter called himself a born again Christian and he certainly walked the talk during his long life. Regardless of what one thinks about his liberal politics, he was a great example of what service to country and community looks like.
A good man who will be missed by many. Rest In Peace, Jimmy.
The smallest country in the world is…drumroll please…and the answer is – Vatican City, covering only 0.27 square miles.
Did you know that? I didn’t. But now we do.
Speaking of Vatican City, Pope Francis gave his annual Christmas address on Saturday at the Vatican, and as reported by the National Catholic Register, talked about a bit about Vatican City: In a separate address to Vatican employees and their families, the Pope compared Vatican City to “a large beehive” bustling with activity in its streets, courtyards, corridors and offices. He thanked those working and unable to attend the gathering but made it possible.
The Pope also addressed gossip amongst Vatican employees and officials:
The Pope warned that gossip “damages social bonds, poisons hearts, and leads nowhere,” as he addressed cardinals and senior Vatican officials. He urged them to practice self-accusation rather than accusation of others, drawing on the teachings of early Christian spiritual masters.
The Apostle Paul agrees. In his second letter to the church at Corinth, 2 Corinthians 12:20, Paul admonishes the Corinthian believers: “For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults”.
Sounds a bit like what goes on behind closed doors in the Biden White House or a recent meeting of the Democratic National Committee. I kid – kind of.
